Let me start this by telling you about my neighbor. My neighbor is a Republican and she’s on disability (which I think shouldn’t happen, but there it is). She’s a good Christian woman, who suffered through an intolerable childhood and never married. She worked, before her illness, in the Health Care field. She offers advice, even when you don’t need it or want it. My neighbor knows every thing that goes on in our neighborhood and I mean every thing. I’ll be she’ll know about this post before I finish writing it and before I even post it. Even when she was working, she knew every thing.

In the old days, we would call her – unkindly – the neighborhood gossip or busy buddy. And, perhaps, that’s what she is. But, she’s always kind, very giving and the kind of neighbor you can call when you need help. For example, when we were having our biggest trouble with Oliver, she would take him every single day. She helped train him and I think he’s more well-adjusted now than he would’ve been without her daily care. Only her illness stopped her from continuing to watch him, but she’s never stopped loving him.

Over the weekend, she stopped with her little dog for a visit. We had a nice time, even though I have no manners and forgot to offer her a drink or something. Anyway, she told me that she was going to vote for Romney in the Presidential election. When I asked her why, since it is clear she doesn’t like Romney, her answer was abortion. Republicans are against abortion. She’s against abortion, so she’s going to vote for Romney.

And, that is why I’m writing this. The anti-abortion stance in the Republican Party is a lie. Mark my words: There will NEVER be a Federal Anti-abortion – I mean make it back like it was – law EVER. It doesn’t matter if the Republicans hold Congress, Senate and the White House. It didn’t happen during Bush’s eight years (where they had all three for more than 4 years) and it will never happen.

Why?

Because abortion is an issue that keeps voters voting Republican. A Federal Ban would mean that the voters would have to look for something else. There are plenty of voters, like my neighbor, who is a one issue voters. She doesn’t want abortion to be legal. She doesn’t realize that the Republicans don’t really want to outlaw it because maybe she might start looking at their other issues.

So, if you’re a single issue voter and abortion is your issue and that’s why you’re voting for Romney – you might want to think again. And, you might want to see what else Romney has in his bag of issues.

“I think this is a time when young people are questioning the support they gave to President Obama three and a half years ago. He promised bringing the country together; that sure hasn’t happened. He promised a future with good jobs and good opportunity; that hasn’t happened. And the pathway that he pursued is one which has not worked. Young people recognize that and I think that’s why they’re going to increasingly look for a different approach.” –Mitt Romney

Below the quote, there are links to the “facts” that support his data. Two links to the same Time Magazine article written by Josh Sanburn (which I haven’t read) from February of this year, there’s a couple of links to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and some more links to articles .

Here’s the thing: Mitt Romney is hoping that you won’t research any farther than that. He’s hoping that he can convince you that President Obama hasn’t done enough and he’s handing you little tidbits that support his claim.

So, I did the research myself. Below is a chart. This is the annual unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) from 1948 until 2011. I’ve broken the data down by age: 16 – 24 and over 25. The third line is the combined annual unemployment rate. I obtained the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics site. (Side note: If you love data, like I love data, you could spend hours on this site running queries!)

Here’s the thing: Romney is trying to make you think that somehow our youth have it so much worse than the rest of us and President Obama is responsible for it. However; the truth is that the unemployment rate for 16 – 24 year olds has always been higher than the unemployment rate for the rest of the population.

I realize that not all of you are Christian, but hear me out anyway. I was praying the other day on my way into work. (I do that.) And, the following thoughts occurred to me. God doesn’t make mistakes. God loves me. God made me who I am.

For a good portion of my life, I have struggled in my relationship with God and being gay. Right-wing “Christians” will point to all sorts of passages in the Bible as proof that God hates gays. Just last week, a right-wing co-worker proclaimed that if I am secure in being gay, it must be because Satan has been answering my prayers. Satan – not God.

And, they wonder why we hate them.

Actually, I don’t hate my co-worker, I pity her. And, her comment led to a very interesting discussion with my pastor (yes, I attend church – although, I admit that I miss some Sundays). And, that conversation led to something I believe that God revealed to me while I was praying. Ready? Because I’m serious:

God loves us – every single one of us – and He wants us to be happy. On top of that, He wants us to have a relationship with Him and His Son. And – anyone who interferes with our relationship with God is not working for God and they are not taking orders from God – they are doing Satan’s work.

Think about that. I’ll wait. Read it again, if you must. I’ll even repeat it – if someone interferes with your relationship with God, they are doing Satan’s work.

See, Satan wants our souls. He has a deal with God. He can tempt us and if we give in to him, he gets our soul. BUT, we have to freely give Satan our soul. I’ve never done that – have you? Well, if you have, you can get it back, by asking for forgiveness from God. But, that’s another topic.

See, Rev Phelps from the Westboro Baptist Church – you know, the “God Hates Fags” guy – He’s working for Satan. NOM – the National Organization of Marriage people – Satanists. American Family Associations – HUGE SATAN FOLLOWERS. And, all these groups have something in common – they are very sad and we should pray for them. They don’t realize that they are working for Satan. They have been so overtaken by believing in themselves, by their destructive self-righteousness, that they have scales on their eyes. These people are the modern day Sadducees and Pharisees – you know, those people who were so against Jesus in the Bible and tried to trick Him. They had an answer for everything. And, they were wrong.

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that all who believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

Don’t forget that.

I’m not saying that we aren’t sinners. We are. Everyone is a sinner. But, we’re not sinners solely because we’re gay. Should we try to live a righteous life? Well, I can’t speak for you, but I try to do so. Do I succeed? Not always.

And, now a quote from Spencer Tracy: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” If you have a relationship with God, don’t hide it. Live it, breathe it and pass it on. If you don’t, don’t hide from Him. He loves you and He wants a relationship with you. Don’t run from Him. And, don’t let the bastards get you down. Don’t let the right-wing terrorists separate you from the love of God. Living in His light is better than living in their darkness.

Two things happened in the news yesterday – one was predictable and the other was, at least to me, shocking.

Yesterday, Sarah Palin announced that she would not seek the Republican nomination for President. Did anyone actually think she would? Mrs. Palin has a fairly nice life. She writes books, makes television appearances and if she farts, the whole world knows about it. Did you know that when she was governor of Alaska, she was actually a moderate? I didn’t until recently when I looked into her record. Personally, I don’t believe she’s as right wing as she appears – and I think the woman is media savvy. Right wing is in and she’s willing to pick up her conservative banner and wave it all over.

This is not a criticism – it is merely an observation. I would love someone to pay me to spout off my opinions around the country – so good for her. She saw a market and she is exploiting it for her own financial gain. Nothing wrong with that. However; she can’t do that and run for President. She’d have to give up her Fox News paycheck and five kids are expensive to feed. Sarah’s no fool. She’s been on the campaign trail with handlers and having to censor yourself. She doesn’t want to do that.

And who could blame her?

In 1983, I was sitting in a classroom when they brought in an Apple IIe. The entire class was all up in arms regarding this new computer. The computer room in high school had a sign up sheet. The room had 15 or 20 Commodores, but only one Apple IIe. You were only allowed so much time on the Apple because of the list of people waiting, but you could spend as much time as you wanted programming on the Commodores.

I’m an impatient gal and I don’t like to stand in line. I never bothered giving the Apple a second glance. I spent my computer time programming in Basic on the Commodore, which led me (after some detours) to Windows and, eventually, to my current profession – as a Report Developer.

So, you see, Steve Jobs is the reason I do what I do. I am such a Microsoft gal, that – with one exception – I have never worked on Apples or Macs or anything with a i in front of it. But, had he not created the Apple IIe, there would’ve been more people wanting to use the Commodores in high school, leaving me with less time on them.

I’m sure people will write better eulogies to the man who changed the way we do things in the world than I ever could. So, let me say this: Thank you, Steve Jobs, for all you’ve done in technology. Without you, I couldn’t have done the few things I’ve done.

I’m reading this week’s Bloomberg Businessweek and there on page 38 is Charlie Rose’s interview with Mitt Romney. He says, “The President’s plan is another short-term stimulus effort, akin to throwing a cup of gasoline on embers.”

In the interview, he makes some good points – he states that businesses hire because there is demand. He recognizes that our wages are stagnate. I give him credit for that. However; like the rest of the GOP, he wants to see more tax cuts for the wealthy. His job plan on his website states, “His plan seeks to reduce taxes, spending, regulation, and government programs.”

Don’t you just love that? Reduce taxes – taxes are the lowest they’ve been since the 1950’s. Guess what This isn’t all about the taxes. Reduce Spending – what spending? The spending that keeps our schools open and our military protecting us? Reduce Regulation – Interesting, but which regulations? We threw out the Seagall – Glass Act, which kept out financial markets safe for over sixty years. Regulations are not the enemy – bad corporate decisions are.

In short, Mitt Romney may have a greater clue than the rest of the Republican Pack, but he still has a long way to go.

A lot of people are complaining about their lot in life. They drew a bad hand. The “man” is keeping them down. Big government is butting into their lives.

The truth is that the one person you can blame for your lot in life is you. Yes, you heard me right. Look in the mirror. That person staring back at you is where the buck stops. Yes, I realize that you can’t be blamed if you caught some disease and lost you job and home. That isn’t your fault. However; those people are not my target audience. I’m not talking about those people befallen by horrible disasters beyond their control. I’m talking about the people who like to blame everyone else for their issues.

Oh, I pay too much in taxes and that’s why I can’t get ahead.

No, no you don’t. If you’re earning that much money that you’re in the highest tax bracket – stop complaining. Man up, for Pete’s sake! You’re out earning the majority of Americans, so be a little grateful that you won’t have to make the choice between eating and paying rent.

I’m underwater in my house and the government should bail me out.

No, no the government should NOT bail you out. That’s crap. You have a choice, continue to pay for the house and wait for the market to bounce back. It will bounce back. But, if you just walk away from your home and let it go – that’s total crap. You’ve now contributed to the housing problem because now your home will lower the value of everyone else’s home. Thanks a lot. I understand a foreclosure if you’ve lost your job, but just walking away because you can is totally irresponsible and I’m going to punch the next person I meet who has done just that.

I can’t find a job and I’m still unemployed.

Oh, quit your whining. There are jobs out there, you just have to lower your standards. And, what have you been doing while you’ve been unemployed? Have you been taking classes to update your skills? Have you been trying out side jobs? Have you been looking to move into a different field, perhaps one that is actually hiring? Or, have you been sitting on your rear end blaming the world around you for your lot in life. Yes, American Corporations should be bitched slapped for how they’re laying people off. However; there are jobs to be had. Take one.

I’m underemployed. I’m too smart for this job.

Oh, please, get off your high horse and just be grateful you have a job. Then, read the paragraph for the unemployed. You will get nowhere in life if you don’t stick your neck out. Working full time and going to school is tough. Finding a work – home – school balance can be tricky, but it can be done. I had a job that I loved and then it went away. That was the catalyst that sent me back to the classroom and after six very long years of hard work, I managed to not only obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science, but I found a good paying job to top it all off. And, I’m not just sitting on my butt whining either. I’m moving into the next phase of my life, as soon as I pick from where I want to obtain my Master’s. Life is NOT a spectator sport. You don’t get to sit on the bench and complain that the coach won’t play you. You have to get out there and make a move that makes you worthy to move up the food chain.

First, Michele Bachmann states that she only became a lawyer because her husband wanted her to do so. And, she paraphrased Ephesians 5:22 that a wife must submit to her husband. A wife who submits to her husband is a wife who cannot be President of the United States. If you believe that God only speaks to you through your husband, then you cannot be the leader of the free world. Period. We don’t want a President who will bow down and submit to anyone. Remember the hoopla because President Obama bowed too low to another world leader? How could we possibly stand for our President bowing down to her shrink husband?

Well, Bachmann is trying to back away from the statement, by saying the following:

Marcus and I will be married for 33 years this September 10th. I’m in love with him, I’m so proud of him. And what submission means to us—if that’s what your question is—is respect. I respect my husband…and he respects me as his wife. That’s how we operate our marriage. We respect each other, we love each other.

I looked up the definition of submissive and it doesn’t say anything about respect. Her whole thought process is crap. I don’t want Marcus Bachmann advising MY President on anything. The man is a total nutjob.

First, I’d like to set the record straight: Jesus never said that a woman needed to be subservient to her husband. St. Peter and St. Paul both wrote it in letters. No where in the New Testament did Jesus say it. In fact, Jesus usually defended women (see woman who anoints Jesus’ feet with her hair), appears to them first and made sure – while the cross – that a disciple took care of his mother.

Second, let’s get to Michele Bachmann. She may be able to read a law book (I said maybe), but she’s totally wrong on the “I have to be subservient to my husband.”

Which brings me to this: Do we really want a President who will listen to her husband above all others? What if Marcus decides it is time to bomb, I don’t know, Brazil? By her own belief, she’d have to order it.

What if Marcus wants all gays locked up (and he does, so he can “cure” us)? There’s enough crazy GOP members to go along, she could order it.

These are extremes, not unlike the Bachmanns. We don’t need a woman who bows down to her husband in the White House.

You’d never see Sarah bow down to Todd. And, for that, she gains a point.